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About

Leadership

A college’s leadership reflects its current positions and projects its future direction. Heartland Baptist Bible College has thrived, in part, because of its uncompromising yet gracious leadership. Each of the college’s presidents, vice-presidents, executive vice-presidents, and members of the Board of Directors have all been current or former pastors. The leadership’s fusion of down-to-earth pastoral heart with humble passion for excellent ministry training has propelled the college forward. You can see their influence through our doctrinal clarity and stability, our rigorous yet practical academics, and our caring staff and faculty.

Learn more about the college’s leadership below. To find out more about the convictions that guide our leadership, visit the Distinctives and Doctrines page.

Chancellor, Pastor Emeritus Sam Davison

Samuel Stinnett Davison was saved at the age of 6 and surrendered to preach at 16 while attending Calvary Baptist Church in Perry, Oklahoma, under the ministry of Pastor Daniel Tidwell.

In 1964, Bro. Sam enrolled at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated in 1967. He attended the Seminole Baptist Temple under Pastor Raymon Tracy during his time at BBC.

Bro. Sam served as Assistant Pastor at First Baptist Church in Del City, Oklahoma, from 1967 to 1974.
He was then called to serve as Pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1974, where he served until 1990.
In May of 1990, Bro. Davison was called to serve as Pastor of Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In May of 1999, during his pastorate at Southwest Baptist Church, Bro. Davison transitioned from serving on the Executive Committee of Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, OK, to serve as the President where he also taught Personal Spiritual Development, Homiletics, and Practice Preaching.
In May of 2010, he was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus as he passed the leadership of Southwest Baptist Church to Bro. Jason Gaddis.
In May of 2018, he was installed as Chancellor of Heartland Baptist Bible College.
Since 1976, Bro. Sam has preached hundreds of revivals, missions’ conferences, youth camps, and state, regional, and national fellowship meetings around the country.

Bro. Davison and his wife, Sandra, were married in 1966. They have three children: Sindy Brown and husband, Brad, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Suzie Ohsfeldt and husband Kyle of Pampa, Texas; Samuel and his wife, Brittany, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They also have eleven grandchildren: Nathan, Hannah, and Leah Ohsfeldt; Alicia, Abbey, Anna, and Aimee Brown; and Sarah, Karaline, Natalie, and Claire Davison. They have also been blessed with two great-grandchildren.

President, Pastor Jason Gaddis

Jason Gaddis was saved at the age of 8 at Grace Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He surrendered to the call to preach at the age of 15 while attending youth camp.

Bro. Jason graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1998, followed by the Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology in 2001.

The Lord gave Bro. Gaddis a burden for young adults in their teen and college years, and he served as College and Career Director at the Meadowview Baptist Church in Republic, Missouri. He was then called as Pastor of the church for three years.
In August of 2003, Bro. Jason and his family moved to Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in order for Bro. Gaddis to serve as College and Career Director. During his seven years on staff at Southwest Baptist Church, the Lord allowed him many opportunities to be mentored by Pastor Sam Davison.
On May 3, 2009, Southwest Baptist Church called Bro. Jason to be the next pastor, effective May 2, 2010, upon the resignation of Sam Davison.
Pastor Gaddis became the President of Heartland Baptist Bible College in May of 2018. He teaches several undergraduate and graduate level courses.
In addition, Bro. Gaddis preaches at youth conferences, camps, and other meetings across the United States.

Pastor Gaddis and his wife, Angie, were married in 1998. They have three sons: Tyler, Trevor, and Trenton.

Vice President, Pastor Aaron Denson

Aaron Denson was raised in a pastor’s home. He was saved at the age of 16.

Bro. Denson graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1995.

After graduation from Bible College, Bro. Aaron interned at Eastland Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Lord then led Bro. Denson to serve as youth pastor at Arden Road Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, pastored by Dale Bigham. He served there for almost six years.
Bro. Aaron was then called as the Senior Pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he served for six and one-half years.
In March of 2009 the Lord led Pastor Denson to Bethany Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, where he served until September of 2015.
In September of 2015 Pastor Denson was called to serve as pastor of Arden Road Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, upon the retirement of Pastor Dale Bigham.
In May of 2018, Bro. Denson became the Vice President of Heartland Baptist Bible College.

Bro. Aaron married his best friend, Jerrie, six months after his graduation from Bible College. God has blessed Pastor and Mrs. Denson with seven children: Abigail, Lauren, Emily, John, Josiah, David, and Amber.

Executive Vice President, Jeff Copes

Jeff Copes accepted Christ as his Savior in February of 1984, through the ministry of Temple Baptist Church in Titusville, Florida, under Pastor Wendell Correll. He surrendered to the call of God into full-time service in 1993.

Bro. Jeff received his B.S. degree in Finance from Liberty University in 1987, and completed two years towards his Master of Divinity degree at Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology. He received his Master of Education from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, in 1997.

Before serving in full-time ministry, Bro. Copes received business experience working in the Commercial Lending Department of Southeast Bank, as well as in the Financial Administration Department of Rockwell International at the Kennedy Space Center.

Bro. Copes served as an Assistant Pastor at the United Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.
He served as Assistant to the Vice President of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, where he later served as Business Department Chairman and full-time faculty.
Bro. Jeff was then called to serve as the Business Manager for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International’s Missions Office in Springfield, Missouri.
He was next called to serve as Pastor of Meadowview Baptist Church in Republic, Missouri.
In November of 2000, Pastor Copes was called to serve as Executive Vice President of Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he also teaches Personal Finance and Church Administration.
In addition, Bro. Copes serves as the current President of the Independent Baptist Foundation of America, and travels many weekends, preaching and representing Heartland Baptist Bible College around the country.

Bro. Copes and his wife, Pam, were married in 1989. They have one daughter, Victoria Grace. Mrs. Copes serves in the English Department at Heartland as full-time faculty.

FAQs

How many majors does Heartland offer?

Heartland offers 15 majors across 6 academic departments. The majors include 4-year programs in a variety of pastoral, missions, youth ministries, education, and music disciplines, as well as a 2-year Ministry Secretarial program and a 1-year Bible Certificate program. See the complete list of majors and the course catalog here .

Is Heartland a local church ministry?

Because Heartland is not organized as a ministry of one specific church, perhaps you’ve wondered:

• Is Heartland a local church ministry, or is it a parachurch organization?

• Can our church send students to Heartland when we believe ministry training is a local church responsibility?

• Why is Heartland not under the exclusive authority of Southwest Baptist Church?

These are reasonable questions that warrant clear answers. We are passionate about biblical church doctrine, which means we’re glad to explain how a high view of the local church can co-exist with fervent support for Heartland.

Click here for more information.

How does Heartland's cost compare to other colleges?

The average price for a year of Bible college in 2024 across the nation was $15,145. Out of 15 Christian colleges, with prices ranging from $6,000 to $29,670 per year, Heartland ranks as one of the most affordable at $9,060.

Click here to learn more!

How does Heartland support students academically?

Heartland desires for all students to thrive academically and provides multiple layers of academic support. All students are assigned to an academic department through which the student’s department chair is available to answer program-related questions and to give academic counsel. The Academic Affairs Office monitors students’ academic progress and provides guidance for those who need additional support. Instructors view their teaching responsibilities as a ministry to students and are eager to offer personalized help. Tutors are also available for a variety of subjects.

All of these support layers (and more) reinforce our care for students.

What quality of education will I receive at Heartland?

Heartland’s administration and board of directors (comprised of 22 pastors) are dedicated to excellence in ministry training without the influence of any accreditation association led by theologians from other denominations. Because the college is not entangled in bureaucratic accreditation processes, Heartland’s resources can be focused on giving students a high-quality education that prepares them for real-life Christian service. This quality of education is rooted in instructors’ personal walk with God and extensive ministry experience, as well as the leadership’s high academic standards. Through purposefully designed curriculum—and enriching and practical instruction—students are challenged to devote their minds to Christ, which gives them grace to excel in the academic rigors they encounter.